Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) progress in developing a powerplant for the proposed Bombardier C Series is contributing to research and development of engines for a future generation of large or heavy business jets. The so-called X10 program addresses requirements for 10,000- to 14,000-pound-thrust engines that could be candidates for Cessna’s “large cabin” concept, future Bombardier designs and Dassault’s super-midsize long-range aircraft, according to P&WC executive vice president John Saabas. In addition, the technology could be used to refresh existing designs in that class as manufacturers offer new aircraft in five years or so.
Saabas has assumed increased responsibility for day-to-day P&WC operations, as president Alain Bellemare has taken on the additional role as strategy and
development executive vice president at U.S. parent company Pratt & Whitney. P&WC has embarked on a C$1.5 billion ($1.3 billion), five-year investment program covering basic R&D in such areas as combustion, emission, noise and materials technologies, as well as manufacturing and new nonderivative engine designs.
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